Joe's: Where country stars and city's celebs mingle

The Blackhawks pose with country music star Keith Anderson (third to the right) during his show at Joe's Bar June 17, 2010.

The Blackhawks pose with country music star Keith Anderson (third to the right) during his show at Joe's Bar June 17, 2010. (Photo courtesy of Joe's)

By Luis Gomez

If you plan on seeing Lady Antebellum's sold-out acoustic show at Joe's Bar on Saturday, keep an eye out for famous faces in the VIP loft or backstage.

Often the stars who attend country concerts at Joe's are just as big as those onstage.

When Grammy-winning country star Miranda Lambert performed at Joe's 15th anniversary concert in June, the crowd included the Bears' Jay Cutler and his former fiancee, Kristin Cavallari, the White Sox's Mark Buehrle and the Bulls'Kyle Korver.

Rosie O'Donnell and "The Playboy Club" star Eddie Cibrian were on hand when Cibrian's wife, LeAnn Rimes, and former "American Idol" runner-up Crystal Bowersox performed at Joe's in August.

"Some of the biggest stars are the artists' husbands or wives," Joe's co-owner Ed Warm said by email. "Faith Hill was here with Tim McGraw. Drea de Matteo ("The Sopranos") was here with her husband Shooter Jennings. Blake Shelton flew in for his then-fiancee Miranda Lambert's birthday concert a few years ago."

Every now and then, the celebrities in attendance at Joe's — named nightclub of the year by the Academy of Country Music earlier this year — will take the stage themselves for an impromptu performance.

R&B singer Babyface unexpectedly joined Billy Currington onstage last November for a rendition of "Change the World." "X-Men" star Hugh Jackman and Richard Marx sang "Right Here Waiting" during a KingBilly show at Joe's in 2009. And then there was the time when several Blackhawks players, including Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, sang onstage with Keith Anderson shortly after winning the Stanley Cup.

Warm said the Blackhawks were also in attendance for the Joe's concert he believes drew the most celebs: Carrie Underwood.

"Brian Urlacher, Jay Cutler and half the Blackhawks were here for that concert," Warm said.

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